Understanding cold acclimation in Medicago truncatula

Medicago truncatula is a close annual relative to alfalfa. Understanding cold acclimation (CA) is important for concurrently increasing autumn yield and winter survival in alfalfa. Such investigations are difficult because of its complex genetic makeup, and outcrossing with inbreeding depression. This study was conducted to understand CA in M. truncatula for determining if it could be used as a model to help dissect the genetic control of autumn yield and cold tolerance in alfalfa. Although M. truncatula has less agronomic value than alfalfa, its small genome and short generation time makes it useful as a model crop for legume genomics. Because M. truncatula is exposed to cool weather during the growing season in its native mediterranean region, it is plausible that it has evolved mechanisms to tolerate low temperatures. Assessing growth variation among M. truncatula accessions under autumn conditions is an important first step for identifying potential as a model to understand cold tolerance in alfalfa and as a winter annual forage crop. Wide variation in root and shoot dry matter accumulation revealed the presence of exploitable yield variation among M. truncatula accessions. The majority of the accessions produced higher dry matter in roots and shoots under the simulated autumn condition, patterned after 20-years Ames\u27s Iowa autumn temperature and photoperiod than in control. These results indicate that M. truncatula have considerable variation in cold tolerance abilities. Time to first flower, the only trait associated consistently with differences among geographical locations, was delayed by simulated autumn condition showing a plastic response with temperature treatments and proved a clear evidence for adaptation ability of the species to diverse locations. Cold acclimation is characterized as a biphasic process in M. truncatula based on the two distinct levels of freezing tolerance (FT) observed with response to temperatures, similar to what has been reported for winter hardy alfalfa. Simulated autumn conditions reduced stem length in M. truncatula , the response associated with fall dormancy in alfalfa. Jemalong-6 showed higher cold tolerance than W6 5018 with lower reduction in dry weights, stem length and number of leaves per stem and lower injury measured in CA compared to nonacclimation regimes. Differences in cold tolerance in M. truncatula may partly be related to cultivars differences in their ability to cold acclimation and indicate its possible use as a model for understanding genetics of cold tolerance in other legume crops, including alfalfa. Freezing injury occurs as a result of destabilized membranes from freeze-induced dehydration and thus, maintaining membrane stability is a key function of CA. Ion leakage test to assess injury in leaf tissues after freeze-thaw event was efficient for determining both, FT and CA ability differences in genotypes. The maximum FT was achieved with CA3 regime, the only regime that included subzero temperature, can be used to induce maximal CA. Quantifying CA capabilities among a large number of accessions is possible using this screening procedures in future. Time course of accumulation of sugar correlates well with development of freezing tolerance in many plants. Sugars, particularly, glucose, fructose, sucrose and total sugars increased in CA regimes, reached maximum in CA3 and correlated with FT suggesting that its contribution to membrane stability. Raffinose was only detected in cold acclimated tissues could be indicative of FT, but requires further studies to confirm if differences in its concentrations explain the genetic differences in FT among M. truncatula accessions

Vacuum Assisted Vaginal Delivery in Singleton Term Pregnancies: Short Term Maternal and Neonatal Outcome in a Tertiary Hospital of Nepal

Introduction: Other than cesarean delivery, assisted vaginal delivery is an alternative procedure for delivery in emergency obstetrics. Presently, vacuum delivery has gained more popularity than forceps for operative/ assisted vaginal delivery, when and where indicated, with success as well as lesser neonatal and maternal complications. This study was done to estimate the short term maternal and fetal morbidity/mortality due to vacuum assisted vaginal delivery. Methods:  A prospective observational study was conducted at Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital from January 2015 to May 2016. One hundred and four pregnant women who had successful vacuum assisted vaginal deliveries were enrolled. Fetal and maternal outcome were assessed. Results: One hundred and four successful vacuum deliveries (2.9%) were conducted among 3457 deliveries during our study period. Sixty seven (64.4%) were primigravida and most (n=59, 56.7%) parturients were of age group 20-30 years. The commonest (n=65, 62.5%) indication for vacuum application was prolonged second stage of labor. The maternal morbidity variables were: 6.7% (n=7) had genital tract injury, 3.8% (n=4) had primary post-partum hemorrhage, 3.8% (n=4) had urinary retention, 2.8% (n=3) needed blood transfusion. Among neonatal morbidity indicators, 19.2% (n=20) neonates had birth asphyxia, 4.8% (n=5) neonates had cephalohematoma, 0.96% (n=1) had brachial plexus injury. There was one early neonatal death due to meconium aspiration syndrome. Conclusion: A successful vacuum assisted delivery can be achieved with lesser maternal and neonatal morbidity with timely assessment of labor, skilled operator, and availability of neonatal team

Status of Scar in Repeat Cesarean Section in a Tertiary Hospital

Introduction: In modern Obstetrics, with rising trends of primary Cesarean section (CS) for fetal and maternal interests, pregnancy over the scarred uterus is a challenge to all treating obstetricians. How better the cesarean scar is sutured, its exact fate in next pregnancy is still not measurable. Objective of this study was to evaluate the status of previous cesarean scar during repeat cesarean section (RCS) and calculate the maternal morbidity in those cases in a tertiary hospital. Methods: It was a descriptive, retrospective study conducted at department of Obstetrics of Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital. The study was conducted from 15th July 2014 to 14th July 2015. The data were retrieved from the department of Medical Records. Women undergoing RCS were enrolled. The status of scar was evaluated in terms of intact scar, scar rupture, scar dehiscence, thin lower uterine segment, scar placenta previa, and adhesions as indicator of scar integrity. Results: There were 534 (25.4%) CS among 2,098 deliveries during the study period. Ninety one (17.04%) of them were RCS. Elective RCS were 73.6% (n=67), and emergency RCS were 26.4% (n=24). Eighty two (90.1%) women had RCS once and 9 (9.9%) had RCS for second time. Scar was intact in 22 (91.6%), scar dehiscence in 1 (8.3%), scar with adhesions in 1 (8.3%) among  emergency RCS and intact in 53 (91.3%) and scar with adhesions in 5 (8.7%) among elective RCS. Among nine women of two RCS, three (37.5%) had thin scar, five (62.5%) had well formed scar,  seven (87.5%) had intact scar, and one (12.5%) had scar with adhesion. There was no scar dehiscence and no scar rupture in two RCS women.  Adhesions were documented twice higher in women whose primary CS was undertaken outside our hospital. Placenta previa and placenta accreta each were found in two cases. Conclusion: Most of the scars of repeat Cesarean section were healthy with no scar rupture. We can consider trial of labor for scarred uterus with strict vigilance and in need,  CS is always at option

Successful Management of Quadruplet Pregnancy following Spontaneous Conception

Introduction: When more than two fetuses simultaneously develop in the uterus, it is called higher order multiple pregnancy. The incidence of such pregnancies ranges from 0.01% to 0.07%. Case report: We report a case of 26-year-old G2P1L0D2 with previous history of preterm vaginal twin delivery, diagnosed to have quadruplet pregnancy. She was admitted at 28 weeks of gestation for safe confinement. At 33 weeks of gestation, emergency cesarean section was conducted with outcome of two female and two male babies with quadriamniotic and quadrichorionic placenta, without any intra and post-operative complications. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach with good neonatal care facilities is warranted for a better outcome in higher order multiple pregnancies

Developing adolescent health-risk behavior instrument using Delphi method

Background: There are a number of challenges in developing a reliable and valid instrument on health risk behaviour of adolescentsbecause adolescents are reluctant to disclose negative health behaviour. This research used the Delphi method, supplementedby literature review and grounded theory, to understand health risk behaviour and its determinants. Method: Qualitativequestionnaires were sent to experts in round I. In round II, an online questionnaire with major determinants in five pointLikert scale was sent to experts. In round III, a group of experts met, revised and developed consensus on adolescents’ healthrisk behaviour and their major determinants. Results: Round I identified 117 major determinants. Altogether, 86 determinantswere selected from round I. In round II, this was reduced to 52 determinants with more than 70 percent consensus. Altogether12 determinants, which scored more than 50 percent that were supported by literature and grounded theory, were added afterconsensus development with experts in round III. Conclusion: Low response rate, identification and selection of experts, experts’time constraints were major methodological challenges whereas logistic management and time consuming nature of the methodwere major non-methodological challenges in the Delphi process. These challenges, however, can be overcome or minimized

Understanding cold acclimation in Medicago truncatula

Medicago truncatula is a close annual relative to alfalfa. Understanding cold acclimation (CA) is important for concurrently increasing autumn yield and winter survival in alfalfa. Such investigations are difficult because of its complex genetic makeup, and outcrossing with inbreeding depression. This study was conducted to understand CA in M. truncatula for determining if it could be used as a model to help dissect the genetic control of autumn yield and cold tolerance in alfalfa. Although M. truncatula has less agronomic value than alfalfa, its small genome and short generation time makes it useful as a model crop for legume genomics. Because M. truncatula is exposed to cool weather during the growing season in its native mediterranean region, it is plausible that it has evolved mechanisms to tolerate low temperatures. Assessing growth variation among M. truncatula accessions under autumn conditions is an important first step for identifying potential as a model to understand cold tolerance in alfalfa and as a winter annual forage crop. Wide variation in root and shoot dry matter accumulation revealed the presence of exploitable yield variation among M. truncatula accessions. The majority of the accessions produced higher dry matter in roots and shoots under the simulated autumn condition, patterned after 20-years Ames's Iowa autumn temperature and photoperiod than in control. These results indicate that M. truncatula have considerable variation in cold tolerance abilities. Time to first flower, the only trait associated consistently with differences among geographical locations, was delayed by simulated autumn condition showing a plastic response with temperature treatments and proved a clear evidence for adaptation ability of the species to diverse locations. Cold acclimation is characterized as a biphasic process in M. truncatula based on the two distinct levels of freezing tolerance (FT) observed with response to temperatures, similar to what has been reported for winter hardy alfalfa. Simulated autumn conditions reduced stem length in M. truncatula , the response associated with fall dormancy in alfalfa. Jemalong-6 showed higher cold tolerance than W6 5018 with lower reduction in dry weights, stem length and number of leaves per stem and lower injury measured in CA compared to nonacclimation regimes. Differences in cold tolerance in M. truncatula may partly be related to cultivars differences in their ability to cold acclimation and indicate its possible use as a model for understanding genetics of cold tolerance in other legume crops, including alfalfa. Freezing injury occurs as a result of destabilized membranes from freeze-induced dehydration and thus, maintaining membrane stability is a key function of CA. Ion leakage test to assess injury in leaf tissues after freeze-thaw event was efficient for determining both, FT and CA ability differences in genotypes. The maximum FT was achieved with CA3 regime, the only regime that included subzero temperature, can be used to induce maximal CA. Quantifying CA capabilities among a large number of accessions is possible using this screening procedures in future. Time course of accumulation of sugar correlates well with development of freezing tolerance in many plants. Sugars, particularly, glucose, fructose, sucrose and total sugars increased in CA regimes, reached maximum in CA3 and correlated with FT suggesting that its contribution to membrane stability. Raffinose was only detected in cold acclimated tissues could be indicative of FT, but requires further studies to confirm if differences in its concentrations explain the genetic differences in FT among M. truncatula accessions.</p

Technological Advancements for the Detection of Antibiotics in Food Products

Antibiotics, nowadays, are not only used for the treatment of human diseases but also used in animal and poultry farming to increase production. Overuse of antibiotics leads to their circulation in the food chain due to unmanaged discharge. These circulating antibiotics and their residues are a major cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), so comprehensive and multifaceted measures aligning with the One Health approach are crucial to curb the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance through the food chain. Different chromatographic techniques and capillary electrophoresis (CE) are being widely used for the separation and detection of antibiotics and their residues from food samples. However, the matrix present in food samples interferes with the proper detection of the antibiotics, which are present in trace concentrations. This review is focused on the scientific literature published in the last decade devoted to the detection of antibiotics in food products. Various extraction methods are employed for the enrichment of antibiotics from a wide variety of food samples; however, solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques are often used for the extraction of antibiotics from food products and biological samples. In addition, this review has scrutinized how changing instrumental composition, organization, and working parameters in the chromatography and CE can greatly impact the identification and quantification of antibiotic residues. This review also summarized recent advancements in other detection methods such as immunological assays, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based assays, and biosensors which have emerged as rapid, sensitive, and selective tools for accurate detection and quantification of traces of antibiotics